Today is Monday, November 26, 2007 and the 17th day of the of the Local One, IATSE, Broadway Stagehands Union Strike against the League of American Theaters and Producers.  It is a rainy Monday morning here in New York City and "cloudy and gray" is the outlook for the day.  As I try to shake off the Thanksgiving tryptophan coma and stagehands strike blues -  the rain does very little to help me present a bright and cheery mood this a.m.  It makes me think of that Carpenters song Rainy Days and Mondays...

Talkin' to myself and feelin' old

Sometimes I'd like to quit

Nothing ever seems to fit

Hangin' around

Nothing to do but frown

Rainy Days and Mondays always get me down.

Strike News:

I love me some Carpenters but I was really hoping to have exciting news today.  Last night the news agencies were reporting that the strike talks were going "very well".  The two sides met yesterday (Sunday November 25th) and the info being "leaked" was VERY positive.  Late in the evening NY1 (a local NYC news outlet) released the following quotes:

"I think we are going to be able to make a deal," Herschel Waxman of the Nederlander Organization said Sunday. "I think that I'm very optimistic I think that both sides are going to be smart and make a deal."

"There's lots of hard bargaining and good-faith negotiations going on," said union spokesman Bruce Cohen. "As we've said before, we're glad that the league accepted out invitation to negotiate and we are hoping that at some point before the day breaks tomorrow that there is a deal."

Apparently there was a lot of number crunching and rolling up of sleeves.  But, when I woke up this morning I heard that talks have stopped and the parties will reconvene at 7:00pm tonight for more discussions.  This is just a "break" - the talks have not "broken off".  I guess they need to get some sleep and some food.   That means no shows tonight (there are only a few shows that play on Monday) and it doesn't seem likely to me that we will have shows on Tuesday even if they did settle at some point tonight (I could be wrong about that though).  I guess we will just have to wait.

Coming Home

Last night the company of the new B'way production of Harold Pinter's The Homecoming offered up a dress rehearsal performance of the show.  The rehearsal took place at New World Stages and was free, however, they took a collection for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS at the end of the run-thru of the show. 

The show stars Ian McShane (HBO's Deadwood),  Raul Esparza (Company),  Eve Best (A Moon for the Misbegotten) and Michael McKean (Hairspray).  The play is directed by Daniel Sullivan (Proof).

This was probably a great way for the cast to present the show in front of an audience and get some feedback - much in the same way they would if they had performed any of their missed "preview performances".  The reports from those in attendance: mixed.  It is not, however, fair to judge this type of "open rehearsal"...but I guess I just did.  Sorry.

Speaking of BC/EFA

This time of year is when Broadway shows collect for BC/EFA at the end of every performance.  The stars come out and make a curtain speech and then actors wait at the back of the theater with buckets to collect donations.  Every year this brings in tons of donations for this great cause.  The strike has halted this holiday practice and severely diminished the amount of money coming in to the organization.  If you would like to make a donation please click  HERE.  Broadway Cares/ Equity Fights AIDS (BC/EFA) is a not-for-profit AIDS fundraising and grant making organization.  By drawing on the talents, resources and generosity of the American Theater Community BC/EFA raises funds for AIDS-related causes across the U.S.  Since 1988 they have raised $140 million dollars!  Go on. Click and donate.  It is a GREAT cause.

Enchanted by Enchanted.

This past weekend, when I wasn't wolfing down t-giving leftovers, I did manage to get off my lazy butt and see a movie (and it was Bway related).  I saw Enchanted, the Disney movie about an animated princess who finds herself in the real world of New York City.  The move stars Amy Adams (Junebug), Patrick Dempsey (Dr. McDreamy on Grey's Anatomy) and James Marsden (Hairspray movie) and I [heart] it!  It was great!  It was fun and funny and I loved the way that Disney was able to mock itself and make fun of the many animated movies they have made.  I especially enjoyed the clever "How Will You Know" number that hilariously pokes fun at the "Under the Sea" number from The Little Mermaid - turning Central Park into a gigantic dance spectacle.  Also, Amy Adams is brilliant in a break out role.

The movie is also packed with B'way stars.  Idina Menzel (Wicked)  takes on a supporting role as Patrick Dempsey's girlfriend.  Tonya Pinkins (Caroline or Change) and Isiah Whitlock played divorcing lovers. There were also several former "voices" of Disney ladies in a few roles.  Paige O'Hara the voice of Belle in Beauty and the Beast,  Judy Khun the singing voice of Pocahontas, and Jodi Benson the voice of Ariel from The Little Mermaid were all featured in the movie!  It was fun to try to pick them out in the film. 

Word on the street is that Disney has plans to turn the movie into a B'way Musical; eyeing a pre-Broadway try out in 2009.  Remember, you heard it hear first!  Now, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie - go see it!

As I look out the window, the rain is still pouring down.  Hopefully there will be a break in the weather and we will get a break in the negotiations tonight and things will be resolved once and for all.  Stay dry and keep your fingers crossed!

~ See You On The Aisle